Near Fishers Hill in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Crook's Attack

"Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of their charge"

— The Battle of Fisher's Hill (September 22, 1864) —

Crook's Attack Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2024

1. Crook's Attack Marker

Inscription.

Crook's Attack. "Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of their charge". After routing the Confedente cavalry, Union Gen. George Crook's troops surged towards Confederate Gen. Bryan Grimes's infantry on this height, rushing on, in the words of Union Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, with, "No line, no order, all yelling like madmen.", The Federals moved so rapidly that military organization disappeared as they clambered over the rough terrain covered with bushes, greenbriars, and grapevines." Col. George D. Wells, who commanded a brigade in Col. Joseph Thoburn's division, recalled: "The field was so vast and the confusion so great that our officers could do little but encourage the men and set them examples of energetic courage.", Moving towards this "prominent ridge," Col. Wells saw that "Upon the crest directly in front was a double line of strong earthworks filled with men." As the Federals started up the slope, Grimes's men unleashed "rapid and heavy" fire from both small arms and cannon, the cannon blasting double canister. Wells recalled that, "The enemy... with musketry and artillery gave us a heavy fire as we came on.", The fire briefly held back the Union assault, and a handful of Federals either halted or attempted to run. Enraged, Gen. Crook gathered an armful of rocks and pelted the men "until they tarried no longer.", Croolt ordered a charge and his men surged forward again. While Hayes's division overwhelmed Cox's and Lomax's men to your left, Thoburn's division moved towards the heart of Grimes's defenses, near where you stand. "Every man yelled, if possible, louder than before..." Wells recalled. "Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of their charge., And now Union Gen. James Ricketts's division joined in, attacking from the north, "firing," in the words of one Confederate, "down our line and in the rear and from the front.", (Captions):, Crook's Attack , Courtesy Case Western Reserve Historical Society, Union Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, future president of the United States., Union Col. George D. Wells. , Courtesy Nicholas Picerno Collection.

After routing the Confedente cavalry, Union Gen. George Crook's troops surged towards Confederate Gen. Bryan Grimes's infantry on this height, rushing on, in the words of Union Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, with, "No line, no order, all yelling like madmen."

The Federals moved so rapidly that military organization disappeared as they clambered over the rough terrain covered with bushes, greenbriars, and grapevines." Col. George D. Wells, who commanded a brigade in Col. Joseph Thoburn's division, recalled: "The field was so vast and the confusion so great that our officers could do little but encourage the men and set them examples of energetic courage."

Moving towards this "prominent ridge," Col. Wells saw that "Upon the crest directly in front was a double line of strong earthworks filled with men." As the Federals started up the slope, Grimes's men unleashed "rapid and heavy" fire from both small arms and cannon, the cannon blasting double canister. Wells recalled that, "The enemy... with musketry and artillery gave us a heavy fire as we came on."

The fire briefly held back the Union assault, and a handful of Federals either halted or attempted to run. Enraged, Gen. Crook gathered an armful of rocks and pelted the men "until they tarried no longer."

Croolt ordered a charge and his men surged forward

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again. While Hayes's division overwhelmed Cox's and Lomax's men to your left, Thoburn's division moved towards the heart of Grimes's defenses, near where you stand. "Every man yelled, if possible, louder than before..." Wells recalled. "Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of their charge.

And now Union Gen. James Ricketts's division joined in, attacking from the north, "firing," in the words of one Confederate, "down our line and in the rear and from the front."

(Captions):

Crook's Attack
Courtesy Case Western Reserve Historical Society

Union Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, future president of the United States.

Union Col. George D. Wells.
Courtesy Nicholas Picerno Collection.

Erected 2024 by Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 38° 59.272′ N, 78° 25.277′ W. Marker is near Fishers Hill, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. It can be reached from Battlefield Road (Virginia Route 601) east of Tumbling Run Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the one-mile Fisher's Hill Battlefield hiking trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1847 Battlefield Road, Strasburg VA 22657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, May 6, 2026

2. Crook's Attack Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (about 300 feet away); The Coming Storm (about 300 feet away); Confederate Left Disintegrates (about 300 feet away); The Vulnerable Left Flank (about 300 feet away); Crook's Flanking Movement (about 700 feet away); Pegram's Division Collapses (about 700 feet away); The Fight for the "Bull Pens" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fishers Hill.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fisher’s Hill (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher's Hill (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Fisher’s Hill (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Crook's Attack. Marker includes a map: Fisher's Hill: Crook's Attack, September 22, 1864.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2024

3. Crook's Attack Marker

has replaced another near this location.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 7, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on May 6, 2026, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on November 7, 2024, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.